Results 8,701-8,720 of 28,162 for speaker:Catherine Murphy

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (14 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: 580. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent paediatric neurosurgeons and paediatric neurologists working in the public health service in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [61292/21]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Development Projects (14 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: 817. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation for the community enhancement programme for 2020 and 2021; and the budget allocation for same in 2022, in tabular form. [61278/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I sent the Tánaiste the details from the constituent who was in contact with me who employees 120 people. I completely accept there is an international issue. I hope it will be short term. There is a lack of competition whereby there is no possibility of being able to negotiate with a provider. Domestic customers can switch but not enough of them do. This competitive side is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I do not disagree with the Tánaiste on this. The reason I sent the email, and I will resend it for ease of access, is because it is probably one of many examples. If there is an issue with energy companies refusing to compete, even in a very volatile environment, it needs to be specifically addressed. When replying to a previous question the Tánaiste spoke about the number of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: 81. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department has taken to address the volatility and increases in energy costs for the commercial sector, small businesses and sole traders. [61025/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Energy Prices (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: My question relates to the volatility and increases in energy costs for the commercial sector. We know that in the domestic sector, people can switch suppliers. My understanding is that some companies are not issuing new contracts, so there is very little competition. I wrote to the Tánaiste by email on 23 November and to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, citing an example...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Apologies have been received from Deputy Sherlock. Deputy Devlin has advised that he will be delayed, as has the Chairman, Deputy Stanley. I welcome everyone to the meeting. Due to the current situation regarding Covid-19, only the clerk, support staff and I are in the committee room. Members of the committee are attending remotely from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I thank Mr. McCarthy for his presentation. Before I call Mr. McKeon, it is important to note that the committee very much appreciates that some of what we will examine today will have happened due to the pandemic. That is the introduction of the PUP scheme at very short notice. The amount of work and effort that went into getting the scheme up and running very quickly was a significant...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: The lead questioner for the committee today is Deputy McAuliffe, who will have 15 minutes. The next speaker will be Deputy Munster, who, along with all other members, will have ten minutes. I will allow members in for a second round if time allows.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: The Deputy has two minutes remaining.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Mr. McKeon might wrap up his comments in response.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Before I call Deputy Munster, I have a priority question I wish to ask and I had expected the Chairman, Deputy Stanley, to be here. Could a member of the committee come to the committee room and take the Chair?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for that. I call Deputy Munster and she has ten minutes.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Yes, the Deputy is a bit over time. We will let her back in if time allows. We will now take a short break.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I will address my remarks to Mr. McKeon. He is not getting to share the burden with the other witnesses even though doing so would have been beneficial this morning. I wish to discuss the reply about energy use. Mr. McKeon acknowledged an increase in expenditure on energy which was reflected in the reply to the parliamentary question I tabled. I want to go through some of the reasons that...

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: How many secure laptops are required? How many have been rolled out to date?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Was that the number required?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Are they in place now or are they being distributed on an incremental basis?

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: I want to get in some other questions. The Department will no longer have a requirement to have desktops powered on.

Public Accounts Committee: 2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 37 - Social Protection
Chapter 9 - Regularity of Social Welfare Payments
Chapter 10 - Management of Social Welfare Appeals
Chapter 11 - Controls Over the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2021)

Catherine Murphy: Therefore, that will not be continuing. I have two other questions. Mr. McKeon spoke about the services that are already contracted out - Tús, JobBridge and Job Clubs I believe. At previous meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts I have outlined to Mr. McKeon my unhappiness with some of the offerings regarding JobBridge. I know that is at an end or coming to an end. It does...